Experiencing the Profound Consolations of God

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of God's Consolations

The consolations of God are profound and transformative, addressing the root of our sorrows—sin—and offering forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ. This divine comfort is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the eternal truths of the Gospel. The comfort we receive from God reflects His character—His love, mercy, and grace. It is a comfort that addresses the root of our sorrows, which is sin, and offers us forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ. As believers, we are called to live in the joy and peace that come from a close relationship with God. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the eternal truths of the Gospel. [08:37]

Isaiah 61:1-3 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to experience God's transformative comfort? How can you invite His presence into that area today?

Day 2: The Holy Spirit as Our Comforter

The Holy Spirit, as the Comforter, ensures that God's consolations are sufficient for any affliction. The presence of Christ in our lives is the ultimate source of joy and peace, and His companionship in our sufferings assures us that we are never alone. The Holy Spirit applies these consolations to our hearts, ensuring that they are sufficient for any affliction we may face. The presence of Christ in our lives is the ultimate source of joy and peace, and His companionship in our sufferings assures us that we are never alone. [11:34]

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Reflection: In what ways can you be more aware of the Holy Spirit's comforting presence in your daily life? How can you share this comfort with someone else today?

Day 3: Purpose in Trials

Trials and sufferings are not without purpose; they refine us and draw us closer to God, producing in us the fruits of righteousness. The consolations of God reveal the refining nature of our trials, assuring us that all things work together for our good. The trials we endure are not without purpose; they refine us and draw us closer to God, producing in us the fruits of righteousness. [10:09]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How can you see God's refining work in that situation, and what steps can you take to embrace His purpose in it?

Day 4: Removing Barriers to God's Consolations

If God's consolations seem small or ineffective, we must examine our lives for barriers such as unconfessed sin, neglected duties, or misplaced affections. Removing these obstacles allows us to experience the fullness of His comfort and joy. We are encouraged to remove any idols from our hearts and to seek God with sincerity and humility. In doing so, we open ourselves to the fullness of His comfort and joy. [36:04]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What is one barrier in your life that might be hindering you from experiencing God's full comfort? What practical steps can you take to remove it today?

Day 5: Trusting in God's Power and Presence

Trusting in God's power, wisdom, and presence is essential for experiencing His comfort. Doubt and unbelief can hinder our reception of His consolations, but faith opens the door to His abundant grace and peace. Trusting in God's power, wisdom, and presence is essential for experiencing His comfort. Doubt and unbelief can hinder our reception of His consolations, but faith opens the door to His abundant grace and peace. [44:12]

Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust God's power and presence? How can you actively choose to trust Him more fully today?

Sermon Summary

In reflecting on the consolations of God, we are invited to examine the depth and richness of the comfort that God provides to His people. The passage from Job 15:11 serves as a catalyst for introspection, urging us to consider whether we perceive God's consolations as small or insignificant. This reflection is not merely an academic exercise but a deeply personal inquiry into our spiritual lives and the state of our hearts.

The consolations of God are not trivial; they are profound and transformative. As believers, we are called to live in the joy and peace that come from a close relationship with God. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the eternal truths of the Gospel. The comfort we receive from God is a reflection of His character—His love, mercy, and grace. It is a comfort that addresses the root of our sorrows, which is sin, and offers us forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ.

Moreover, the Holy Spirit, who is called the Comforter, applies these consolations to our hearts, ensuring that they are sufficient for any affliction we may face. The presence of Christ in our lives is the ultimate source of joy and peace, and His companionship in our sufferings assures us that we are never alone. The trials we endure are not without purpose; they refine us and draw us closer to God, producing in us the fruits of righteousness.

Yet, if we find that these consolations seem small or ineffective, we must examine our lives for any barriers that might hinder their full effect. This could be unconfessed sin, neglected duties, or misplaced affections. We are encouraged to remove any idols from our hearts and to seek God with sincerity and humility. In doing so, we open ourselves to the fullness of His comfort and joy.

Key Takeaways

1. The consolations of God are profound and transformative, addressing the root of our sorrows—sin—and offering forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ. This divine comfort is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the eternal truths of the Gospel. [08:37]
2. The Holy Spirit, as the Comforter, ensures that God's consolations are sufficient for any affliction. The presence of Christ in our lives is the ultimate source of joy and peace, and His companionship in our sufferings assures us that we are never alone. [11:34]
3. Trials and sufferings are not without purpose; they refine us and draw us closer to God, producing in us the fruits of righteousness. The consolations of God reveal the refining nature of our trials, assuring us that all things work together for our good. [10:09]
4. If God's consolations seem small or ineffective, we must examine our lives for barriers such as unconfessed sin, neglected duties, or misplaced affections. Removing these obstacles allows us to experience the fullness of His comfort and joy. [36:04]
5. Trusting in God's power, wisdom, and presence is essential for experiencing His comfort. Doubt and unbelief can hinder our reception of His consolations, but faith opens the door to His abundant grace and peace. [44:12]
** [44:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Consolations
[01:28] - The Nature of God's Comfort
[02:40] - Questioning the Value of Consolations
[04:10] - Joy in the Love of Christ
[06:25] - The Greatness of Divine Comfort
[08:06] - Addressing the Root of Sorrow
[10:09] - Purpose in Trials
[11:34] - Companionship in Suffering
[12:51] - Compensations in Affliction
[14:10] - Journey Towards Eternal Rest
[19:51] - Decline in Spiritual Joy
[28:30] - Seeking Alternatives to God's Comfort
[36:04] - Barriers to Experiencing Consolation
[44:12] - Trust and Faith in God's Comfort

Sermon Clips

If we are indeed Believers in the gospel and are living near to God our consolation should be exceeding great, passing through a troubled world we have need of consolations, but these are abundantly provided by our God and their influence upon us should be exceeding great, we ought not to be unhappy for we have joy urged Upon Us by the precept rejoice in the Lord alway. [00:01:50]

The consolations we speak of are applied by the spirit of God and to prove how earnestly he performs his work he has taken the name of comforter. Will the comforter the Holy Ghost think you come to any human heart with insufficient consolations will you trifle with our griefs can it be that he does not know how to give sunlight when our day is dark with sorrow. [00:07:01]

Jesus has come to save his people from their sins those thorns and thistles which now Rend our flesh are not the natural fruits of the earth as God created it, sin sowed all these the consolations of God deal with sin, as for the guilt which we have incurred and the inevitable punishment both are removed by pardon full and free. [00:08:05]

If suffering be a fire the consolations of God assure us that it is a refining fire which only consumes our Dross, do you not think that the comfortable fruits of righteousness which are brought forth in those believers who are exercised by trial other source of great comfort to The Afflicted of the Lord. [00:10:11]

We are not passing through the waters alone we have a fellow sufferer of whom we read in all their Affliction he was afflicted, our Lord drank long ago of that cup whereof We Sip, he knows the sting of treachery the stab of cullumney the spit of scorn, for he was in all points tempted like as we are. [00:10:49]

You have become a Son of God and what son is there whom his father chasteneth not you are an heir of God joint Heir with Jesus Christ and in accepting heirship will you not cheerfully take the cross there with seeing it is part of the end Tale, it is true that you have special sorrow but then you have the Royal nature to which that sorrow is a witness. [00:11:54]

The compensations of the Covenant of Grace are so overflowing that we call our troubles light afflictions which are but for a moment, and they work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory, besides there is one consolation with which I finish not because I have completed my list but because time does not permit me to enlarge. [00:13:17]

If God's gospel fails you what will you do, have you found out a new religion with brighter hopes, I do not think you have for the prognostications of modern thought or dreary enough, moreover I've been informed by those who know most about it that the Theology of the future has not yet crystallized itself sufficiently to be defined. [00:28:41]

If you have despised the consolations of God by setting them below your own efforts you cannot expect that they should be sweet to your taste, amend this and you will be happy, your lack of comfort lies not in the consolations themselves but in your own heart, pray God the Holy Spirit to revive the work of Grace in your soul. [00:27:50]

Take a good look at yourself and examine your life by the light of scripture, and if you find that you have been doing something wrong unawares, or for which you have made an unworthy excuse away with the evil away with it at once, when this acan is stoned the accursed thing is put away, you will be surprised to find what Joy what Comfort will immediately flow into your soul. [00:36:04]

Do you not think it is because you do not think enough of God, I'm ashamed of myself that I do not live more with my God how little time do we spend with him, we think about his work rather than himself, even in the scriptures we look more to the words than to God speaking by the words we criticize a phrase when we should be drinking in the spirit of the Revelation. [00:40:09]

According to your faith so be it unto you, if you doubt God you will get but little from him he that waverith may not expect to receive anything of the Lord, strong faith may have what it Wills but when your doubts master your faith, prayer cannot prevail, few other deities from the king's table which come to the dish of mistrust. [00:44:12]

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